Description
Pan-Fried Garlic Bacon Broccoli is a quick and flavorful skillet side dish made with riced broccoli, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and fresh garlic. Buttery, cheesy, and ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect low-carb comfort food for busy weeknights or holiday dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (or ghee)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 heads broccoli, cut into florets
- 1/2 pound (220 g) crispy bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- 2 tablespoons low sodium vegetable stock
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add broccoli florets to a food processor and pulse 2–3 times until it resembles coarse rice. Do not over-process.
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in the riced broccoli and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender.
- Add shredded cheddar and chopped crispy bacon. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes golden and slightly caramelized.
- Pour in vegetable stock and cook for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor.
- Stir in thyme, 1 tablespoon parsley, and minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Season generously with salt and pepper. Garnish with remaining parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked crispy bacon for best texture.
- Do not over-process the broccoli or it may become mushy.
- Add a splash of extra vegetable stock if the pan becomes too dry.
- For extra flavor, substitute part of the cheddar with Parmesan.
- Best served fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in a skillet for added crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Pan-Fried / Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg